Women’s soccer remains in the hunt for an RMAC playoff berth after splitting its two games this past week.

The squad started off the latter portion of their conference schedule with a 2-1 win over Adams State before falling to the Rangers by the same score on Sunday. According to head coach Erin Sharpe, the team has work to do to keep their position but is still in good shape.

“We’re still right in the thick of the playoff race,” Sharpe said. “It’s very tight right now, so we’re continuing to battle and clean up the mistakes from this week.”

The Mavs’ first match came down to the final minutes against Adams State with the game-winning goal coming from defender Samantha Burneo with 4:25 remaining.

Burneo’s first career goal was set up by a deflection from Leilani Weirnicki just outside of the goalkeeper’s box. Monica Carlos contributed the first goal in the 15th minute off of a Taylor Franklin corner kick to give them the early lead, but was matched at the beginning of the second half.

Sunday’s game put the Mavs in the position of being a spoiler with a chance to keep Regis out of the RMAC playoffs with a victory at Walker Field.

Monica Carlos scored the first goal in the second straight game. However, a questionable penalty late in the game gave the Rangers a penalty kick that proved to be the difference.

Lauren Brouse attempted a slide-tackle on a Regis attacker that knocked her to the ground, causing the referee to award a penalty kick that rolled past CMU goalkeeper Sarah Schnetzler in the 84th minute.

“It was a legitimate call,” Sharpe said. “The tackle needed to be thrown, and Lauren was just a little off-balance. We know that we need to do a better job of possessing the ball.”

The Mavericks continue their fight for a playoff spot this week on the road at Western State and New Mexico Highlands.

mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu